Easy Italian Sausage Baked Penne with 3 Cheeses — recipe summary and practical notes

# What this dish is

Easy Italian Sausage Baked Penne with 3 Cheeses is a straightforward baked pasta intended as a family meal or potluck dish. The recipe pairs lean ground beef with hot Italian sausage, simmers them in a tomato-based sauce seasoned with fennel seed and oregano, then combines the sauce with cooked penne and a three-cheese topping before baking.

# Why you might choose it

This dish delivers lasagna-like flavor with less assembly. It's less labor intensive than layered lasagna but keeps similar meaty, cheesy satisfaction. It reheats well and scales for a crowd.

# Key ingredients and purpose

• Crushed plum tomatoes: form the sauce base.
• Ground fennel seed and dried oregano: give the sauce an Italian sausage–friendly herb profile.
• Red pepper and onion: add texture and mild sweetness.
• Trio of cheeses: cheddar, part-skim mozzarella, and grated parmesan or asiago—melted together on top for flavor and browning.

# Basic method (short walkthrough)

1. 1Brown the combined ground beef and Italian sausage in a little olive oil, breaking the meat into small pieces. Add minced garlic and chopped onion and cook until the onion softens. Drain excess fat if desired.
2. 2Add crushed plum tomatoes, chopped red pepper, ground fennel seed, black pepper, salt, oregano and optional fresh tarragon. Simmer over low heat 15–20 minutes.
3. 3Stir in cooked penne pasta. Transfer everything to a greased lasagne pan.
4. 4Top with a mixture of grated parmesan (or asiago), shredded cheddar and shredded mozzarella. Bake at 350°F until cheese is melted and golden, about 30 minutes.

# Timing and yield

The recipe lists about 20 minutes prep time and 50 minutes cook time (1 hour 10 minutes total). It yields approximately 6–8 servings depending on portion size.

# Substitutions and small adjustments

• Pasta: ziti or rigatoni are acceptable substitutes for penne.

# Nutrition snapshot

# Serving and storage

• Brown meats thoroughly and break them into small pieces for even distribution.
• Simmer the sauce 15–20 minutes to blend flavors before combining with pasta.
• Grease your baking pan so cheese doesn't stick when serving.

# Where this recipe appears

This dish is published on Rock Recipes and was originally shared on the site in 2009. The author frames it as a household favorite and an easier alternative to lasagna while retaining similar flavors.